Heating system



P 1935. w. K. SIMPSON I 2,013,113

HEATING SYSTEM Filed July 22, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I jzzw aif 49 ma W. K. SIMPSON HEATING SYSTEM Sept. 3, 1935.

3 Sheet-Sheet 2 Filed July 22, 1932 Ill flew W p 3, 1935. w. K. SIMPSON 2,013,113

HEA TTTTTTTT EM Filed July 22, 1932 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented Sept. 3, 1935 HEATING SYSTEM William K. Simpson, Waterbury, Conn., assignor to Hoffman Specialty Company, Waterbury, Conn., a corporation of Illinois Application July 22, 1932, Serial No. 623,955

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to a heating system which includes a plurality of radiators and a pipe line or conduit system connecting the radiators with a boiler.

In one-pipe steam heating systems, especially those using valves of the vacuum type, there is often trouble in obtaining even distribution of steam when operating under vacuum.

Under vacuum conditions the boiler is not running at its full capacity, consequently there is an insuflicient quantity of steam generated to fill all of the radiators. As a result radiators near the boiler are often filled entirely, while those at the end of the system contain little or no steam or vapor.

A further trouble in one-pipe systems is due to uneven distribution of heat when oil burners are used. The heat of the oil burner is so intense that steam is generated very rapidly, so that radiators close to the boiler fill very quickly. If the thermostatic regulator which controls the oil burner happens to be in a room which heats quickly, the burner is clcsed ofi prematurely, and radiators at the far end of the system will not receive their full amount of steam.

The chief object of my invention is to prevent the above mentioned objections. I accomplish this by inserting in the radiator-supplying portions, or sections, of the conduit system, port-forming partitions characterized as hereinafter stated, including ports of variable area, adapted to reduce to any desired extent the effective area of said conduit portions, and thereby independently regulate the supply of heating medium to each radiator, so that, for example, if three radiators close to the boiler are completely filled with steam under vacuum conditions, a proper adjustment of the ports in said partitions will cause these radiators to be only partially heated, a suificient quantity of the heating medium being caused to pass on to other rad'ators.

A system using oil can be so balanced by said partitions that heat distribution can be rendered even by a proper adjustment of the partition ports, so that the room containing the thermostat will be the last to be sufficiently heated to close down the oil burner, consequently the burner will continue to operate until all radiators are completely heated.

The use of these adjustable ports is advantageous in two-pipe ,vapor or vacuum systems. In such systems, especially when a pump is used to induce a vacuum, difficulty is encountered in balancing steam flow, and causing all radiators to fill at a uniform rate. In many instances, it is desirable to have certain radiators heat before others, and it is not-possible to so proportion the sizes of pipe leading to these radiators to accomplish the desired results.

In systems having concealed radiation of the copper fin type, used in certain parts of the system, and ordinary cast iron radiators in other parts, it frequently happens that rooms havin from radiators remain warm for a longer period 10 than those with the concealed radiation. This occurs when the boiler is running with a low fire and is caused by the uneven distribution of the small amount of steam being generated. In such mixed systems there is also unbalanced flow durl6 ing the heating-up period, due to the difierence in internal volume of the. two types of radiators.

In hot water systems of the forced type, using a pump to accelerate circulation, or in gravity 20 flow systems, water frequently short circuits through certain radiators, due to unbalanced flow. This causes uneven heating by taking away proper supply of hot water from certain radiators, through which the short circuiting does not oc- 25 cur. The usual remedy for this system is partially closing the inlet valve on the short circuiting radiators, or taking oil the branch line leading to such radiators from the bottom or side of the flow main, while radiators which 30 would not be affected by a short circuit have ther branches taken from the top of the main. When said adjustable ports are employed all branches may be taken off from the same point of the hot water main and proper balancing ob- 5 tained as well as short circuiting prevented.

Similar results can be obtained in the other systems mentioned, so as tohave a perfectly balanced steam distribution, or to have certain radiators supplied with steam or water earlier or 0 later than others.

Another object of the invention is to reduce water hammer in a steam or vapor heating system, and I attain this object by providing the partition members with two separate ports, one 45 above the other, the said ports being simultaneously adjustable by movements of the movable member, the upper orifice allowing the passage of steam or vapor, and the lower orifice allowing the separate passage of condensate. 50

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification,--

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing a portforming partition embodying the invention associated with a radiator-supplying conduit por- 6t tion which includes a radiator valve body and a straight union.

Figure 2 is a sectional view showing the partition shown by Figure 1, associated with a radiator-supplying conduit other than the valve body, and including a straight union.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 shows in perspective, and separated from each other, members of the port-forming partition shown by Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Figure 5 is an edge view of another embodiment of the port-forming partition associated with a radiator-supplying conduit portion shown in section, andincluding a straight union.

Figure 6 is a side view of the partition shown by Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a section on line 'I-I, of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view showing the partition shown by Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 associated with a radiator-supplying conduit portion formed as a union elbow.

Figure 9 is a side view showing a partition having two ports adapted to separately conduct steam and water of condensation.

Figure 10 is a section on line Ill-40 of Figure 9.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 show another form of partition, Figure 13 being a sectional view showing a conduit portion.

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing a twopipe heating system including a pipe line in portions of which the orifice-forming partitions shown by Figure 5 may be enclosed.

Figure 15 is a view similar to Figure 14 showing a pipe line in which the orifice-forming partitions shown by Figure 14 may be enclosed.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

A heating system to which my invention relates comprises a plurality of radiators 20, and a conduit system connecting the radiators with a boiler 2i.

Inserted in the conduit system are variable portforming partitions characterizing the invention. Each partition includes a fixed or non-adjustable member, and an adjustable member movably connected with the fixed member, said members being formed to provide a port which is variable in area by movement of the adjustable member relative to the fixed member.

In small house systems of the steam or water type one of said partitions in the inlet valve of a radiator of a steam system, and one of said partitions either in the inlet valve or union elbow in a hot water system, will balance the flow. In a large system it is desirable to locate one partition in a pipe conduit portion of the type shown by either Figure 2 or Figure 5 in a line supplying a group of radiators, and sufiicient balancing effect might be obtained to make the use of a partition unnecessary at the radiators. In very large installations, the branch of the steam main may have a partition member such as that shown by Figure 11, and because of the fact that there are many radiators supplied by the main, it will be necessary to use a partition at each radiator to obtain the required uniformity of flow.

I have shown the partition embodied in several different forms, and will first describe the form shown by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 13.

The partition. includes two members, one of which is larger than the other. The fixed or non-adjustable smaller member 22 of the partition is aflat partly circular plate proportioned to cover a part of the cross sectional area of the conduit bore in which it is inserted, the straight edge 23 of the member 22 having an ear 24 (Figure 4) provided with a bolt hole.

The larger adjustable member of the partition includes a flat partly circular portion 25, the straight edge 26 of which has a projecting ear 2'! connected by a pivot bolt 28 with the ear 24, and a circular flange or skirt portion 29 inclined from the flat portion 25, and constituting a marginal annular gasket formed to be clamped between ground joint faces 30 and 31 formed on conduit parts which may include the nipple member 32 and the tail piece member 33, shown by Figure 1 or the alined straight union members 34 and 35 shown by Figure 2, or the members 36 and 31 shown by Figure 8, the members shown by Figures l, 2 and 8 being separably connected by coupling bolts or rivets 28.

The smaller non-adjustable member 22 is pro-.

vided with a lug 39 (Figure 4) projecting from its curved margin and entering a recess 40 (Figure 3) in one of the conduit parts connected by the coupling nut 32, said lug and recess constituting stop members to prevent rotary movement of the member 22. The adjustable partition member is provided with a semicircular orifice 29 (Figure 4) at one edge of the flat portion 25.

The described partition may be installed by inserting it in the conduit part having the recess 40, when the coupling nut and the other conduit part are removed, the lug 39 being inserted in the recess 40, and the outer side of the flange or skirt 29 seated on the clamping face 3|. The conduit part having the clamping face 30 is then secured in place by the coupling nut, said face being seated on the inner side of said flange.

It will be seen that when the adjustable member is turned, for example, to the position shown by Figure 3, a port 42 is formed between the edges 23 and 26, said port being relatively small, and that when the adjustable member is additionally turned in the direction of the arrow (Figure 3), the port is enlarged. The enlargement may be continued until the port has the same area as the port 29.

The coupling nut 38 and the conduit part con fined thereby are, of course, displaced whenever it is desired to vary the area of the port. The flange 29 of the adjustable member may be provided with a notch 43, (Figure 4) in which a nail or the like may be inserted to move the member.

The flange 29 is provided with a series of graduations 44 constituting an indicator which indicates the movement of the adjustable member required to provide a port 42 of a predetermined area. In this instance it has been found that by rotating the edge 26 of the adjustable member through 180 degrees from the edge 23 of the fixed member, the port 42 has its maximum area which is suflicient to supply square feet of radiation. When the adjustable member is rotated through 12 degrees, the port 42 has an area suflicient for 10 square feet of radiation. It is therefore feasible to vary the port 42 so that it will have suflicient area to supply the required amount of steam for each individual radiator.

This regulation of fiow permits the contractor to balance up the steam distribution uniformly throughout the entire system, so that remote radiators will receive steam as quickly as those near the boiler. It is also possible to so adjust the several ports as to unbalance the distribution of steam, or in other words cause it to flow to certain radiators where steam is desired before other radiators-are filled.

2,01 8, 1 1 8 In the example shown by Figure 1 the partition being associated with a conduit part or. section which includes a radiator valve body 45 having the inlet 46 and the manually operated valve 41, the fiow of steam can be further restricted, so that only a fractional part of the accompanying radiator will be heated.

The fixed member 49 of the partition shown by Figures 5 and 6, is a discoidal plate having a semicircular orifice 49 at one side or its center. The straight edge 50 of said orifice has a projecting ear 5i. i

The adjustable member 52 is semicircular and connected by a pivot 53 with the ear ii. The partition is associated with alined conduit parts or sections 54 and 55, which are separably connected by clamping rings 59 screwed upon the ends of said parts, and have ears 5'! connected by bolts 58. The margin of the fixed member 48 projects outward sufliciently to be clamped between the rings 56.

The adjustable member 52 is confined by friction in any position to which it may be turned on the pivot 53. The arrangement is such that the adjustable member may be rotatively adjusted to provide the partition with a port 59, (Figure 6) of any desired area not exceeding that of the port 59. The fixed member may be provided with a series of graduations for the purpose described with relation to Figures 1 to 4.

Figures 9 and 10 show a partition adapted to form two separate ports, one above the other, said ports being simultaneously variable by movements of the movable member. The upper port permits the passage of steam or vapor, and the lower port permits the separate passage of condensate.

The fixed member of said partition is a discoidal plate 89 having an upper orifice 8i, and a lower orifice portion 82. The margin of said plate constitutes a gasket which may be clamped between clamping faces on separably connected conduit portions, as described with reference to .Figures 5 and 6, one port portion being located above the other.

The adjustable member of the partition includes two shutters 83 and 84 connected with the fixed member by a pivot bolt 85 and formed to wholly close the orifices, and to be adjusted to provide upper and lower ports 81 and 88 of any area, equal to, or less than, the area of the orifices 9i and 92. The shutters may be either independently adjustable or rigidly connected with each other, and simultaneously adjustable.

The partition shown by Figures 11, 12 and 13 resembles that shown by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8. The fixed member of said partition is a flat semicircular plate 99 (Figure 12) functioning like the plate 22, and provided with ears 9| connected with the margin of the plate by necks 92.

The fixed member is prevented from turning in the conduit portion 93 by inserting the necks 92 in recesses formed between inwardly projecting bosses 94 on said conduit portion.

The adjustable member includes a flat circular portion 95 and a circular flange or gasket portion 96 clamped between the conduit portions 93 and 91. The adjustable member is connected by a pivot bolt 98 with the fixed member 99, and is provided with a segmental orifice 99, the eifective length of which may be varied by partly rotating the adjustable on the fixed member, the rotation being limited by a stop pin I09 on the fixed member, and a segmental slot |9l in the adjustable member receiving said pin. In each of the partitions shown, the contiguous races of the fixed and adjustable members are maintained in close non-leaking contact with each other by the pivots which pivotally connect said members, so that the passage of fluid is permitted only through the adjustable port or ports. Said pivot may be a rivet as shown by Figures 1, 2, '7, 8, l0 and 13, or a headed and threaded bolt 59 provided with a clamping nut 59- as shown by Figure 5. The partition members are therefore in close controllable contact with each other and no flow can occur except through the adjustable port or ports.

In each or said partitions shown by Figures 1, 3, 6, 9 and 10, the annular clamping faces and the partition members are arranged in substantially vertical planes and the single port shown by Figures 1, 3 and 6, and the lower port shown by Figure 9 is below the pivotal connection between said members, the lower ends of said ports being arranged to coincide with the lower portions or the bores of the conduit sections so that it does not obstruct condensate flowing through the lower portions of said bores.

Each of the orifice-forming partitions above described, excepting that shown by Figures 8, 9 and 10, constitutes an article o1. manufacture adapted to be inserted as a unit between the ends of sections or portions or a completed conduit or pipe line system, or in other words inserted on the job.

The partition shown by Figures 5, 6, 9 and 10, may be inserted without requiring any change in, or adaptation of, the conduit system. The only change in, or adaptation of, said system required when the partition shown by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 is employed is the formation of the recess 49 receiving the lug 39.

Partitions embodying the invention may be used in forced hot water heating systems. In such systems there is a tendency to. short circuit through certain radiators. By inserting said partitions at various points in the system the circulation can be balanced and the distribution rendered uniform.

, Referring to Figures 14 and 15, partitions such as that shown by Figure 1 may be located in the inlet valves of the radiators at points designated by a. In cases where there are long risers b, or long branch mains 0, having several radiators, partitions such as that shown by Figure 5, may be located at d to balance up stream distribution. Any further unbalanced condition after steam leaves a. may be controlled by the partitions in the radiator valves. Double port orifices, such as shown by Figure 9 may also be located at d as well as in the radiator valves a of a one-pipe system (Figure 15), in which steam flows into the radiators and condensation returns to the boiler. through the same pipe line.

In accordance with present accepted practice, steam traps may be installed on the return side of the radiators to prevent passage of steam into the return line. However, if a reasonably constant pressure is maintained at the boiler and the adjustable orifices are properly set, no appreciable amount of steam will escape into the return main if traps are not used.

In each of the embodiments of the invention excepting that shown by Figures 8 and 9, the nonadjustable partition members are secured between clamping faces on separable members of the conduit system, and the adjustable members of the partitionare pivotally and permanently connected to the non-adjustable members. The partitions are therefore independent unitary structures each adapted to be applied to and removed from the conduit system as a unit.

In the embodiments shown by Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12, the non-adjustable partition members and some of the separable members of the conduit system are provided with positively and separably interengaged coupling members whereby the non-adjustable partition members are positively confined in predetermined positions against accidental rotation between said clamping faces. Said coupling members may be provided with notches 40 and the cars 39 entering said notches as shown by Figures 1, 2, 3 and 8, or by the notches 94 and the ears 9| entering said notches, as shown by Figure 9. I

The positive maintenance of the non-adjustable partition members in predetermined positions enables the partitions to be accurately adjusted rotatively, the extent of any rotative adjustment required being indicated by the indicating means or graduations shown by Figures 4 and 6.

I claim:

1. In a heating system which includes a plurality of radiators and a conduit connecting the radiators with a boiler, said conduit including separable sections having pairs of opposed annular clamping faces surrounding the bores of said sections and arranged in substantially vertical planes, and the conduit having means for varying the distance between said faces; variable orifice-forming partitions formed to be located within said clamping faces and adapted to regulate the supply of heating medium to the radiators, each partition comprising a larger member having a marginal gasket portion formed to be interposed between two of said clamping faces, and a smaller member, one member being centrally pivoted to the other, said members having orifices formed and arranged to constitute a port whose area is variable by a rotary adjustment of one member relative to the other, each partition being both detachable from the conduit, and adjustable as to the area of its port, the said partition members formed to be arranged in substantially vertical planes by the clamping faces, and the port formed by said orifices being below the pivotal connection between the partition members, the lower end of said port being arranged to coincide with the lower portions of the bores of the conduit sections, so that it does not obstruct condensate flowing through the lower portions of said bores.

2. In a heating system which includes a plurality of radiators and a conduit connecting the radiators with a boiler, said conduit including separable sections having pairs of opposed annular clamping faces surrounding the bores of said sections, and the conduit having means for varying the distance between said faces; variable orifice-forming partitions formed to be located within said clamping faces and adapted to regulate the supply of heating medium to the radiators, each partition comprising a larger member having a marginal gasket portion formed to be interposed between two of said clamping faces, and a smaller member, one member being centrally pivoted to the other, said members having orifices formed and arranged to constitute a port whose area is variable by a rotary adjustment of one member relative to the other, each partition being both detachable from the conduit and adjustable as to the area of its port, the larger member being releasable for rotative adjustment by the temporary separation of said clamping faces, the smaller member having a stop member engageable with a complemental stop member in the conduit to prevent movement of the smaller member relative to the larger member.

3. The combination with a steam or vapor heating system which includes radiators and a supply conduit connecting the radiators with a boiler; of variable orifice-forming partitions within the supply conduit, adapted to regulate the supply of heating medium to the radiators and reduce water hammer, each partition comprising a member fixed within the supply conduit, and an adjustable member movably connected with the fixed member, said members being formed to provide two separate ports one above the other, said ports being simultaneously variable by movements of the movable member, the upper port allowing the passage of steam or vapor, and the lower port allowing the separate passage of condensate.

4. The combination with a steam or vapor heating system which includes radiators and a supply conduit connecting the radiators with a boiler; of variable orifice-forming partitions within the supply conduit, adapted to regulate the supply of heating medium to the radiators and reduce water hammer, each partition comprising a member fixed within the supply conduit, and an adjustable member movably connected with the fixed member, said members being formed to provide two separate ports, one above the other, said ports being simultaneously variable by movements of the movable member, the upper port allowing the passage of steam or vapor, and the lower port allowing the separate passage of condensate, the fixed member and the supply conduit having complemental stop members interengageable to prevent movement of the fixed member in the conduit portion.

5. The combination with a steam or vapor heating system which includes radiators and a supply conduit connecting the radiators with a boiler; of variable orifice-forming partitions within the supply conduit, adapted to regulate the supply of heating medium to the radiators and reduce water hammer, each partition comprising a member fixed within the supply conduit, and an adjustable member movably connected with the fixed member, said members being formed to provide two separate ports, one above the other, said ports being simultaneously movable by movements of the movable member, the upper port allowing the passage of steam or vapor and the lower port allowing the separate passage of condensate, the fixed member having a marginal gasket portion extended outward from said orifices, the supply conduit having annular clamping faces between which said gasket portion is interposed and releasably confined to permit adjustment of the adjustable member, the adjustable member being connected with the fixed member by a pivot bolt having means for clamping the two members together to form a fluid-tight joint and frictionally oppose movement of the adjustable member.

6. The combination with a steam or vapor heating system which includes radiators and a supply conduit connecting the radiators with a boiler; of variable orifice-forming partitions within the supply conduit, adapted to regulate the supply of heating medium to the radiators and reduce water hammer, each partition comprising a member fixed within the supply conduit, and an adjustable member movably connected with the fixed member, said members being formed to provide two separate ports, one above the other, said ports being simultaneously movable by movements of the movable member, the upper port allowing the passage of steam or vapor,'and the lower port allowing the separate passage of condensate, the adjustable member having a marginal gasket portion extended outward from said ports, the supply conduit having annular clamping iaces between which said marginal portion is confined so that its release and adjustment are permitted, the two members being centrally connected by a pivot bolt, permitting rotation of the adjustable member.

7. The combination with a steam or vapor heating system which includes radiators anda supply conduit connecting the radiators with a boiler; of variable orifice-forming partitions within the supply conduit, adapted to regulate the supply of heating medium to the radiators and reduce water hammer, each partition comprising a member fixed within the supply conduit, and an adjustable member movaniy connected with the fixed member, said members being formed to provide two separate ports, one above the other, said ports being simultaneously movable by movements of the movable member, the upper port allowing the passage of steam or vapor and the lower port allowing the separate passage of condensate, the adjustable member having a marginal gasket portion extended outward from said ports, the supply conduit having annular clamping faces between which said marginalportion is confined so that its release and adjustment are permitted, the two members being centrally connected by a pivot bolt, permitting rotation of the adjustable member, the fixed member and the supply conduit having complemental stop members interengageable to permit movement of the fixed member in the conduit portion.

WILLIAM K. SIMPSON. 

